The key to the future of economic development in Dunedin is the new southern region tertiary hospital which will be built to the full size proposed by the previous government and agreed to by this one.
Extensive advocacy by our clinicians, Council and residents as well as those from throughout Otago and Southland was required to achieve this result and due credit must be given for this mighty community effort. Onsite work is underway and a Southern Engagement Group has been formed to keep stakeholders updated and accountable.
This new hospital will be the centrepiece of Dunedin as an education city. With our University, Polytechnic and Medical and Dental schools, we are a smart city. While the key to our past prosperity was gold from the hinterland, the gold of our future is brain power. My goal is to retain the brains we train.
We have made great progress as New Zealand’s Centre Of Digital Excellence with many successful gaming studios developed already. Now it is time to expand the number of industry clusters driven by creative brains. Health Tech, Agri Tech, Bio Tech, Data Tech and Mech Tech are 5 concepts that could be added to the list.
We need a range of growth mechanisms to give companies a leg up. We need more businesses, more jobs and more per capita income. Our Economic Development strategy is under review, and it will play a vital role in our future.